Jacks open league with victory

The Quincy soccer team used its seven game non-league season to its advantage. While the defending 1A state champions were far from spectacular through the month of March and first week of April, they did make the right changes just in time.

Last Thursday, Quincy (1-0, 3-5) defeated Selah 2-1. It was their final non-league match before they opened their Central Washington Athletic Conference season. Coach Arturo Guerrero said the mid-field play improved and that carried into Saturday’s 3-0 win over Prosser.
“I like how we have played the last two games and the fact that we are finishing,” said Guerrero. “With our past success comes high expectations.
“We are finishing, something we were not doing in the first five games.”

The Jacks did all their damage in the first half. They put up 12 shots to Prosser’s four and knocked in three goals. Senior left winger Jesus Guzman scored twice, while sophomore defender Kevin Rios scored once. Guzman, who is naturally right-footed, took a pass from junior midfielder Axel Medina for his first goal. He took it down the left sideline angled toward the goal and used his left foot to squeeze the ball through an 18-inch window past Prosser’s keeper in the 16th minute.
“I’ve been working on my left foot,” Guzman said.
His second goal came off an assist by junior midfielder Enrique Rivera in the 20th minute.
“I was two feet outside the box and curved it in to the right,” said Guzman.
The two goals were enough for the win, but a penalty kick by Rios in the 33rd minute gave the Jacks a 3-0 lead. The closest the Mustangs (0-1, 1-7) got to scoring came three minutes into the second half. A handball in the box awarded Prosser a PK, but goal keeper Gil Avila dove to his right for the diving save. The senior had his second clean sheet of the season and was credited with three saves.
“We were playing a league game. It is also a new season, a new start and coming out with a win on the road gives us the confidence to move forward and keep going,” said Guerrero.
The Jacks host Ephrata (0-1, 3-5) on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Quincy 2, Selah 1
The difference: Mike Diaz scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal in the 78th minute off an assist from Josh Munoz as visiting Quincy knocked off Selah.
Guerrero said the win was huge for his team.
“We won,” he said. “This was a big step in the right direction for this team. We played well all game, controlled possession and got the big-time goal. We are ready for league play. We’re hungry again.”
Scores: Quincy — Fredy Ruiz (goal), Mike Diaz (goal), Josh Munoz (2 assists).